Overdose is a major and often overlooked cause of death among people who inject heroin or other opioids. Yet there is a safe and effective treatment: the medication naloxone.

This public health fact sheet describes how naloxone is successfully being used to reverse overdose around the world with no side effects beyond opiate withdrawal. It provides real-life examples of programs that have trained drug users, their families, and friends to efficiently identify the signs of overdose, administer naloxone, and often save lives. And, it explains in-depth why naloxone is an invaluable tool for empowering communities to protect their health.